Combustion chamber for prime movers



A. HUYTON COMBUSTION CHAMBER FOR PRIME MOVERS May 30, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1947 y 1950 A. HUYTON 2,509,503

COIBUSTION CHAMBER FOR PRIIIE IIOVERS Filed Feb. 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 30, 1950 COMBUSTION CHAMBER FOR PRIME MOVERS Alfred Huyton, Birmingham, England, assignor to Joseph Lucas Limited, Birmingham, England Application February 5, 1947, Serial No. 726,703 In Great Britain February 12, 1946 2 Claims.

This invention relates to the combustion chambers employed for the combustion of liquid fuels in conjunction with turbines and other prime movers, and of the kind comprising a pair of concentric metal shells, the inner one of which forms the combustion chamber, and the two forming between them an annular air duct. The object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting the inner shell within the outer one in a manner which will allow the inner one to expand freely under the action of heat.

In the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings:

Figure l is a sectional side view, and Figure 2 a sectional end view illustrating one form of the invention, Figure 2 being taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively similar views to Figures 1 and 2 illustrating another form of the invention, Figure 4 being taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

In the drawings, a indicates the inner and b the outer of two concentric metal shells, the inner shell forming the combustion chamber of a prime mover, and the two shells forming between an annular air duct.

In carrying the invention into effect as shown inFigures 1 and 2, I employ for supporting the inner shell a within the outer shell I), a sheet metal ring it of L-shaped cross section. The flat part of the ring d is adapted to be gripped between a pair of flanges e on the adjacent ends of component parts used in the construction of the outer shell I). On the cylindrical part of the ring (2, three circumferential and equidistantly spaced slits j are formed, each slit being of any convenient length which may, for example, be such that the slit subtends about 60 at the centre of the ring. The portion of the metal flanked by each slit f and the outer edge of the cylindrical part of the ring it is then pressed inwardly so as to form a substantially straight bridge piece 9 which at its ends is integral with the ring and which is substantially tangential to a circle corresponding to the external diameter of the inner shell a.

A ring constructed as above described is located at one or each of the positions at which it is required not only to support the inner shell :1 but also to allow freedom for expansion. For some purposes one such ring is sufilcient, this being placed at or adjacent to the discharge end of the combustion chamber. When the inner and outer shells at, b, are assembled, the discharge end of the inner shell is resiliently supported at three equidistant points by the central parts of the bridge pieces a in a manner which will permit expansion of the inner shell under the action of heat. At the same time, the bridge pieces 9 cause but minimum of obstruction to the cross section of the required air duct between the shells a, b.

inner shell.

In the modification shown in Figures '3 and 4, I form from a circular metal sheet a flat ring al having three equidistantly spaced and similar fiat T-shaped pieces d extending inwardly from its inner periphery. The stem d of each of the pieces d is short in length and is integral at one end with the ring d and the head :1 of each of the said pieces is made of sufficient length to provide the required supports for the inner shell. The stem d of each T piece is then bent later ally to a U-form, and the head it is bent to a shallow V-form, so that in the final state the ring d comprises a flat annular portion and three resilient V-shaped supports adapted at their free ends to .carry the inner shell. If desired these ends may be secured to the inner shell a by spotwelding. The mode of attaching the ring d to the outer shell I) is essentially the same as in the other construction above described.

By this invention I am able to support the inner shell within the outer shell and with the required freedom in a very simple and satisfactory manner. The invention is not, however, limited to the examples above described as subordinate constructional details may be varied to suit different requirements.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with a combustion chamber of the kind specified, means for supporting the inner shell within the outer shell, comprising a sheet metal ring having a flat outer peripheral portion adapted to be attached to the outer shell, and having a plurality of equidistantly spaced and similar T-shaped pieces extending from its inner periphery, the stem of each of the said pieces being bent laterally to a U-form, and the head of each of the said pieces being bent to a shallow V-form and adapted at its free ends to support the inner shell.

2. For use with a combustion chamber of the kind specified, means for supporting the inner shell within the outer shell, comprising a sheet metal ring having a flat outer peripheral portion adapted to be secured to the outer shell, and a cylindrical inner peripheral portion formed with circumferential slits arranged in end to and relationship to provide circumferential and equidistantly spaced resilient bridge pieces which are pressed inwardly to serve as supports for the ALFRED HUYTON.

Name Date Number Clark Dec. 13, 1938 

